Celtic Thunder hits Hershey Nov. 27

Tis the season! Fans of Irish music looking to get into the holiday spirit need to look no further than the Hershey Theatre on Sunday when Celtic Thunder rolls into town.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m., "The Celtic Thunder Christmas Tour" will ensure that all attendees are in the holiday spirit with an Irish twist.

Ryan Kelly, a member of Celtic Thunder, said the audience can expect to be entertained for the entire show. "We say here in Ireland, that we try to always 'enjoy the craic,' and I think the one thing anyone can pretty much bank on when they come to a Celtic Thunder show is that they will 'enjoy the craic.'" (Author's note: 'Enjoy the craic' is slang for having fun.)

In addition to "enjoying the craic," Kelly said that attendees can "expect plenty of Celtic music and expect some holiday songs thrown in there as well. Expect lots of great live music and you've pretty much got our show."

While the audience has Celtic Thunder's performance to look forward to, what is the band most excited about when visiting Hershey? "Stepping off the tour bus and being hit with that smell of chocolate," said Kelly. "I remember feeling like I was on the set of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when we went there last year. I was waiting for Gene Wilder to come and show me around," said Kelly.

Besides the chocolate aroma, Kelly said that he is looking forward to the concert because he loves performing more than anything. "It's so great to get up on stage every night in front of thousands of people and sing songs I love singing and actually call it 'work.' I think there has to be something wrong there somewhere."

However, he struggles with being away from friends and family during touring. "But that's the nature of the job," he added. He even cites his family as being his biggest influences, both professionally and personally.

Celtic Thunder formed in 2007, when producer Sharon Browne, along with musical director Phil Coulter, held auditions for a "Celtic show." Searching through Ireland and Scotland, they finally settled on the singers who would ultimately become Celtic Thunder.

Kelly said he showed up to the audition "with no hopes and certainly no expectations. For some reason, I was chosen as one of the five original soloists. Four years later, and I still haven't been found out," he joked.

Celtic Thunder has released seven albums since their formation. This is their third U.S. tour.

Before joining Celtic Thunder, Kelly worked as an accountant and said he hopes to never return to the business sector. "I think the business sector hopes I don't return as well," he joked. "I love what I'm doing right now and hope I can continue doing it for many years to come."

Tickets for the event cost $65, and are still available online or by contacting the Hershey Theatre box office at (717) 534-3405.